The Indonesian Traditional Fishermen Association (KNTI) has recorded that Indonesia has failed to achieve both its production and export targets in the fisheries sector in last three years from 2015.

Head of KNTI strategic and research department Niko Amrullah said in Jakarta on Sunday that in 2015, Indonesia produced 10.87 million tons of fish, while the total target had been set at 13.6 million tons.

“Meanwhile, in 2017, the production declined to only 9.91 million tons, while the target was 16.04 million tons,” said Niko as reported bytempo.co.

He further explained that exports in 2015 reached only US$3.95 billion, below the target of $5.86 billion, while in 2016, exports reached $3.78 billion from the target of $6.82. In 2017, exports were lower still at $3.17 billion, well below the target of $7.62 billion.

The declines in both production and exports have affected the performance of small and medium enterprises in the fisheries sector, as indicated by the increase in non- performing loans (NPL) in the sector to 5.04 percent in 2017 from 4.30 percent in 2016.

Niko blamed the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry for the poor performance of the fisheries industry, and called on the ministry to improve its internal affairs so that it could empower fishing communities that mostly lived in coastal areas.

Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti is known for her tough punishments of illegal fishing. She has ordered the destruction of more than 360 ships since 2015. Recently, her policy has received a challenge from her fellow ministers in the Cabinet. (jlm/bbn)